Citizens' Dialogue in Coimbra

The Debate on the Future of Europe launched by Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding in September 2012 comes to Coimbra with a Citizens' Dialogue in one of Europe's oldest and most famous universities. The Dialogue in Coimbra is a major event in the European Year of Citizens 2013, a year where EU citizens are asked to "Join the Debate" about the future of Europe.

The Citizens' Dialogue with Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding will take place in the "Sala Grande dos Actos / Sala dos Capelos" of the Coimbra University on 22 February at 10 a.m. GMT (11h CET). Via live video link, the Dialogue will reach Aveiro, the Azores and Luxembourg; moreover the event will be universally accessible via live webstream (http://webcast.ec.europa.eu/eutv/portal), Facebook and Twitter. The Citizens' Dialogue in Coimbra will be moderated by TV journalist Teresa Dimas (SIC).

Over 200 citizens are expected who represent a broad sample of the local population and include professors, students, Erasmus students, senior citizens, young people, NGOs, journalists, stakeholders from the justice system, entrepreneurs, etc. hosted by the Rector of the University. They will discuss the economic crisis and its impact on people's daily lives, EU citizens' rights and the future of the Union. A number of Portuguese MEPs, including Regina Bastos and Marisa Matias will participate in the Debate.